Growing Earth’s oceans
Study suggests that trace amounts of water created oceans on Earth and other terrestrial planets, including those outside the solar system.
3 Questions: Sara Seager on the discovery of a ‘new’ form of life
The MIT planetary scientist discusses what the finding means for life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.
Explained: the Doppler effect
The same phenomenon behind changes in the pitch of a moving ambulance’s siren is helping astronomers locate and study distant planets.
In a first, astronomers detect strong winds on an exoplanet
Researchers see tempestuous atmosphere on a planet located 150 light years from Earth.
In the search for Earthlike exoplanets, GJ 436b has much to tell us
First detailed analysis of the atmosphere of a Neptune-sized planet reveals surprisingly low methane levels, presents "new territory" for researching planets outside our solar system
Team predicts satellite could locate hundreds of Earth-sized planets
Researchers say proposed satellite could represent astronomy’s ‘next big leap’ — one that may help find signs of life elsewhere in the universe.
3 Questions: Sara Seager on searching for Earth-like planets
MIT planetary scientist discusses projects that aim to discover distant planets similar to our own, and what we can learn when we find them